What are the disadvantages of signing the Recognition of Parentage?
By signing the Recognition of Parentage instead of going to court to establish parentage legal rights are given up including:
• Genetic testing to prove whether the man is the biological father of the child.
• Having a trial to determine whether the man is the biological father of the child including cross-examining witnesses at trial and testifying about who is the biological father of the child.
• Having an attorney represent you.
Also, the Recognition of Parentage gives the mother physical custody and legal custody of the child. It does not give the father automatic rights to parenting time, or access to the child's school and medical records. If parents cannot agree about these issues, they may need to go to court and ask a judge to issue a court order relating to custody and parenting time.
What if there are doubts about who the father is? The Recognition of Parentage should only be signed if both the mother and alleged father are sure he is the biological father of the child. The child support office can arrange for genetic testing if paternity establishment services are applied for or public assistance is being expended for the child.
What if the mother and/or father are under the age of 18 when they sign a Recognition of Parentage? When one or both parents are minors and sign the Recognition of Parentage, a court order is the only way to get a final determination of parentage. Six months after the youngest turns 18, the Recognition of Parentage becomes valid and is the same as a court order determining parentage.

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1. What if you change your mind after you sign the Recognition of Parentage?
2. What are the advantages for fathers who sign the Recognition of Parentage?
3. What are the advantages for mothers who sign the Recognition of Parentage?
4. What are the disadvantages of signing the Recognition of Parentage?